Sources indicated that Mr Johnson, chairman of 3i-backed restaurant chain Giraffe, is considering investing £8m-£9m in the business, but stressed that a final decision had not been made.

Accounts filed at Companies House for Kavalake, the chef’s holding company which includes restaurants such as Gordon Ramsay at Claridge’s, show a pre-tax loss of £4.4m. Mr Ramsay sacked Mr Hutcheson, his former business partner, in 2010.

The two men reached a truce when the star of Channel 4’s Gordon Behind Bars paid a reported £2m to buy Mr Hutcheson’s 30pc of their company.

It is understood Mr Johnson is looking at making an investment through his Risk Capital Partners vehicle, which holds investments in GRA, the UK’s largest greyhound track owner, and fashion chain, East.

Last month Mr Johnson was reported to be in advanced talks to buy James Hull, one of the UK’s largest dental chains, which needed to reduce its debt burden.

Risk Capital specialises in taking stakes in businesses which need extra capital or some form of financial restructuring.